Retreat to Woodhaven (The Hills of Burlington Book 2)

by Jacie Middlemann

  "And?"

  "And I went back to D.C. Went back to work with a different perspective of things. On top of that my wife told me to watch and listen to what we put out at the station. Wouldn't say anything else...never has...in all likelihood probably never will. I never understood how unhappy she was when she left the newsroom until that moment. I just thought she wanted to stay home with the kids."

  "Knowing Terry she probably did," Jake said cautiously taking pity on the man.

  "I know she did. But that wasn't the main reason. It was a handy and convenient excuse. I should have known that then. She should have told me."

  Jake sighed, "You tell her that and she'll tell you she shouldn't have had to. They think we have some magical powers of insight. We read minds. You should have known without her telling you."

  Mark just stared. He was right. Absolutely right. He gulped down what was left of his beer. "Whatever."

  This time Jake laughed. "That and 'okay' work really well when nothing else feels like it will."

  This time Mark laughed with him. "Whatever."

  "So what happened when you watched and listened?" Jake asked, honestly interested in what evolved to the point of bringing Mark here. And not just physically.

  "A lot. And it wasn't just what went on in the newsroom that hit me. What I was becoming, no, let's be honest, what I had become, that's what hit me." He gulped down the rest of his beer, the taste almost as bitter as his thoughts. "If I didn't like what I saw and heard in the newsroom it was pretty difficult to like myself since I had a big part in what it was." He set the can down harder than he intended. Took a deep breath, reined in the anger that had been building for months. All directed at himself.

  Jake watched him. "That's impressive. You weren't that good at control in Iraq."

  "You were. That's why we didn't end up dead."

  "Maybe," Jake allowed. "Luck played a pretty big role too."

  "Casey, what she said, what I saw her going through, pulling herself back from the edge once she got here, that may have started things but the situation with your story, that you even were able to write that story pretty much capped things for me." He sobered up, "I could tell you we're moving here in the best interest of the kids and that would be absolutely true. But it would also be true to say we're moving here because it's in the best interest for me. I want to be the person, or at least as close as I can get, to who I once was. Who I want to be again." They sat in silence, each thinking of what brought them to where they now sat.

  "I almost didn't do it at all." They both knew what he was talking about. Jake didn't know what made him say it but there it was.

  "You did. That's all that matters."

  "I'm not certain most newsroom GMs feel the same way as you."

  "Maybe not. But if they're smart they'll make sure that once they clean house of anyone involved in that holy mess they'll keep an eye on what goes on and what goes out of their establishments if they want to survive. Things are changing in the entire news industry. I can't think of anyone I know who isn't going to laugh until they cry when they find out I'm leaving a major news network for news print."

  Jake grunted his assent. His publishers were going to do the same. Right after they made sure he was fully committed to the contract he was still under for the next little bit of forever.

  "You going to keep writing?"

  "I've never stopped." He wondered if the man also read minds. "I do most of it in the middle of the night when I can't sleep. Works better that way." And decided to broach the idea that came to him in the middle of one of those late night marathons. "Since it looks like we may actually pull this off..."

  "Damn right."

  "I was going to hit Mary up about something, maybe try to appeal to her family loyalties of which the woman has an abundance of." He took another sip, wondered what his new business partner would think of his idea. "I was going to see if she would consider doing a serial type novel in the paper. Like they used to."

  "You mean the likes of how Alcott got started, publishing short serial stories in newspapers?"

  Jake nodded. "I don't know if she would be interested. She hasn't been keen on writing of late."

  "I think it's a great idea." Mark could imagine easily the revenue they could pick up if, not if, he corrected, when, other papers wanted rights to it.

  "Well, don't get too excited. She has to agree to it and we have to own the paper before it's even an issue."

  "We're going to own that paper," Mark stated assuredly. "And you're going to talk to your cousin into it because it's a great idea. And," he paused for emphasis, "we're not just going to own that paper, we're going to make it work. Not just by bringing it into the twenty-first century but by also looking to the past and what worked for newspapers then." He felt better than he had in months. He tapped his empty beer can to Jake's. "Remember what we said."

  Jake shook his head. This was the man that he remembered. Cocky and more certain than anyone in the room of what was and wasn't going to happen. He tilted his can in a mock toast. "I'm in if you are."

  "Damn right."

  

  "I've never considered anything like it.

  "You can do it. I know you can Mary and I think you know too."

  "Jake, are you sure about this? A fictional serial in the paper? I don't think that's been done in...I don't know...but it has to have been a really long time," she finally settled for since she had no real idea how long it had actually been. But it was an intriguing thought. Mary knew she was interested, knew too her insightful cousin knew she was interested. Not so much because it hadn't been done in years but because so many had done the same long before her. Alcott, Dickens, real literary giants. It certainly wouldn't put her in that same category. In her mind nothing could. But it would put her within running distance. And oh...how that would feel to be doing something just as they had. That they had put their hearts and minds to and had found real satisfaction in doing...not for money or fame...just for the doing...for bringing moments of joy to others. And fulfilling a need deep within them as nothing else could. She looked up into Jake's face from where she had been staring dazedly at her coffee. Lost somewhere else in time. "Okay." She told him simply before she could change her mind.

  "I knew it."

  "I can tell," she said dryly. Obviously she needed to work on her poker face. "Are you certain the deal is going to go through?" She knew Casey had talked with Terry earlier that day and from their view everything was moving forward and quickly. "I know Terry and Mark got a contract on the house they wanted. Pete's pulling some of his magic and they're going to close on it tomorrow before they leave."

  "Quick."

  "I think Terry’s anxious to get back here, maybe even before Mark is able to. She wants to start setting things up and getting their stuff in." She paused, knew something else was bothering him. Had a pretty good idea what it was and intended to work her way around to it. "Jake." She waited again for him to focus in on her. "The paper?"

  "It's a deal. Unless Ollie has last minute regrets and I don't get the sense that's going to happen. He wasn't real happy when Mark laid it out for him that we knew about the split ownership with his cousin. Who by the way he hates sight unseen."

  "They've never met?"

  "Not in this lifetime. But it seems the same everlasting emotions were shared by their fathers throughout their lifetimes so who knows." He fiddled with his cup. "Have you talked to Dave yet?"

  "He called a little bit ago. Said he'd driven straight in and was meeting with you and Mark then in person with the people at the newspaper." She studied him, waited for him to look her in the eye.

  "Yeah, we had breakfast together. Mark too." He leaned back. Sighed. "Your brother is one sharp, bullheaded, arrogant...." he stopped as Mary's laughter interrupted him. "What's so funny?"

  "You could be talking about any of them." She took a breath, swallowed the laughter that still threatened to spill over and seeing from her cousin's ex
pression it wouldn't be appreciated. "My brothers," she clarified. "Or any of yours for that matter."

  Jake ducked his head so she would be less likely to see the smile he feared he couldn't hold back. "Maybe." He allowed her...knowing nothing could be more true.

  "So, what does he want?" She sipped her coffee to help disguise her own smile, feeling much better to see his frustration rather than the worry that had hung to him like a cloak since his arrival.

  "A change in lifestyle." Then took his own deep breath, and another. "He wants in on the paper. A silent partner kind of deal. Everyone wants to be a silent partner it seems. Being that he's a lawyer and wants to practice law I'm still trying to figure out why he'd want in on this."

  "Just say no."

  "Just say no," Jake laughed. "That was a well used slogan in the war against drugs. And just as useless as slogans go with your brother." He took a healthy and scorching gulp of his coffee. "He had Mark hooked right off. Of course anyone that can do up spreadsheets like your brother can would get Mark's attention at least long enough to listen to what follows."

  Mary thought about what she was hearing. Thought about the lilt of excitement in her brother's voice that was just barely noticeable when he called. If she hadn't known him as well as she did, as a sister would, she wouldn't have noticed it. "Where does he plan on practicing law?"

  "You're pretty quick too," Jake sighed. He wasn't used to having family around. Literally right on his doorstep. It appeared that was going to have to change. "It sounds like he might be moving here at some point. Not right away, too many things in the fire at the firm to just up and leave." He looked at her. Knew she had her own worries about her baby brother. "It sounds like driving through the old hometown again gave him some thoughts. Or maybe just the drive here gave him a chance to think without all the clutter running around in his head." He shrugged, stretching out his shoulders in the process. "Anyway, he presented a good case for selling him a fifteen percent interest at a darn good price. Cash. He'd done his research. Knew what we were looking at with the improvements we want to make and the upgrades the paper needs just to forge on. It's done good, darn good considering the times. We want it to do better. That takes cash and your brother's a savvy enough businessman to know that." He paused, thought over the conversation that had taken place over breakfast. Realized that some of his animosity had little to do with his new partner and much to do with his still silent daughter. "Fifteen percent was a nifty number for him to go with. It gives him significant say, even as a silent partner, and if nothing else it may be entertaining to see how well Dave plays that role." He chuckled over that picture. "And it still leaves Mark and I together a majority interest even with Chase Mayne's twenty-five percent floating out there."

  "And it sounds like he'll be moving his law practice?" She knew he'd said it, but wanted to hear it again. She'd love having this particular brother close by. More importantly she would love him practicing the law she knew he loved somewhere other than with her father and other brothers. For them it was a going concern, a business, one that they took very seriously in and out of the courtroom. For Dave it was as essential as the air he breathed. And not because of the money he made from it. The others could never understand that. It wasn't in them to be able to.

  "That’s what it sounds like." Jake stood long enough to grab the coffee pot, brought it back over to the table to refill both their cups. "Mark gave him Pete's number. It sounds like he was going to give him a call and try to see a few things before he headed back." He wandered over to the back window. He could see movements in the Carriage House. He'd promised Mallie they would take a walk through the skating rink later today after the deal with the newspaper was finalized.

  "Jake."

  "Ummm."

  "Have you heard anymore from Beth?"

  "No."

  Mary sighed. And here was the crux of his bad mood. She couldn't blame him.

  "No. And I keep telling myself to email her again. Make sure everything's okay. But then I don't."

  "Why?"

  "Because I don't know if I have that right to. I don't want her to feel like I'm pressing too hard."

  And he would understand that feeling of being pressed too hard. Mary wondered if he knew that was what kept him back, cautious when he shouldn't be.

  Jake turned, leaned with his back against the wall, the light coming through the window showing him in silhouette made clear the tension holding him straight despite his calm tone.

  "She's very young, Jake. And her world, the one she’s always known, has been pretty much annihilated. " At his arched brow, she simply shrugged. "That would be how she would feel. Everything she knew, everyone she counted on every single day of her life, whether they were in the next room or the next continent, they're gone. She's probably having to make decisions about things she's never had to think about let alone decide on. Time for her is irrelevant. Sent her a quick email. Ask her how she is. Remind her she's not alone. You don't have to say it. Just the email by itself will do that for you." She watched his expression lose its intensity. Saw his eyes narrow the way her brothers did when they were thinking. "Try to remember being that age. Put yourself at least in that place when you were young and thought you knew everything. And too often had to accept you didn't."

  "Do they teach you this stuff in mother school?" Jake asked only half teasing.

  "Believe me, there were times I wished there was a mother school to sign up for and go to."

  "Are you going to be okay with Dave living here if he follows through with it?" He knew he was changing the subject. She'd given him plenty to think on and didn't know if he could deal with any more.

  "I can." She looked at him shrewdly. "Can you deal with being his partner?"

  "We'll find out." He'd have to learn to he thought to himself considering he was going to have more business partners pretty soon than he had siblings. He remembered his initial reason for stopping by. "Got any good ideas for a serial for the paper?"

  "Actually, I do." And it pleased her to no end to see she'd been able to surprise him. "And once I get a better handle on it, or better yet, when I get the first segment done, you'll be the first to read it."

  

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  "Are you certain about this?" Pete looked around, disbelief lining his face. "I wouldn't have even brought you here if I'd known it was in this bad a shape. The specs I have on it make it sound like it needs a little clean up. That would only work if you had a crew of twenty descending on it for a week." He kicked the large shard of a broken bottle out of his way. "I was getting ready to apologize for the overly bright outlook of the listing agent," he was also going to make sure the man understood the importance of accuracy in describing the state of a property. "And you're what, thrilled with the place." He looked over at the still silent man who so far had only uttered "Cool" upon pulling up to the place and similar other one word comments since they walked in. "Are you joking?" He was desperately afraid he wasn't. He didn't know what Mary's reaction would be. He was completely certain about Casey's.

  Dave looked over when it was apparent that Pete was in a conversational lull. "I think it's great." He walked into the room off the back of the kitchen. Beyond it was a screened in porch. Beyond it was an awesome view of the river. "What street is this again?"

  "South Third." Pete looked into the room where Mary's brother stood obviously transfixed by what he saw. Looked and didn't see the same but he'd seen that look before. And certainly hadn't seen even close to a glimpse of it at either of the other houses he'd shown him prior to this one. "You know the place on North Third was a heck of a lot nicer, closer to downtown too."

  "This suits me better."

  Pete tried again. "The other two are more upscale, more conducive to drawing in new clients."

  "I've done upscale. I like this better."

  "Why?"

  Dave looked over his shoulder, pulled his thoughts away from the possibility of turning this narro
w long room into his office. If he glassed in the back porch he could convert it into his library. But the sheer confusion in Pete's voice caught and held his attention. He almost gave one of his many standard pat answers meant to soothe and avoid. But he knew from the short time he'd already been in town this man was connected. In more ways than one. "What are you intentions with my cousin?"

  Pete didn't even try to avoid the question. He could have just by asking him which one. But there was only one that mattered. "Given time I plan to talk her into marrying me."

  Dave smiled. There wasn't a better way to state his case. And it was exactly how things would be with Casey. For that single reason he decided to make his case as well. He didn't worry about Mary. He had a feeling his sister would understand better than anyone. Maybe even better than he himself. But Casey was another story. He knew too that once she was with him she'd take anyone else in the family on just for the heck of it. No one stood at your back better and bit back at the adroitly aimed barbs quicker than she. And he had a feeling the first step to her was through this man.

  He turned and walked back out through the rooms they'd already come through. While he would have preferred to head upstairs first, he continued on through the doors that led outside. Stood on the huge front porch that ran the entire front of the house as he waited for Pete to join him.

  "I think I just woke up a family of mice," Pete mumbled as he came through the front door.

  "Wouldn't be surprised with all that stuff scattered all over the floor." Was all Dave said in response to the continuing grumbles. Then he walked to the edge of the porch, motioned Pete to join him. "What do you see?"

  "Urban sprawl," Pete responded with a dry tone that would have been funny any other time.